Rihanna will take the stage during the 95th Oscars to perform "Lift Me Up" from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences announced on Thursday. This is the pop star's first time performing at the Oscars.
Rihanna became a first-time Oscar nominee this year when "Lift Me Up" was nominated for Best Original Song. (The song features music by Rihanna, Tems, filmmaker Ryan Coogler, and Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson, with lyrics by Tems and Coogler.) The emotional ballad marked Rihanna's first proper release after a six-year absence, and her Oscars performance will be the first time she's performed during an award show since the 2018 GRAMMYs.
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"It was an honor to work with these incredible musicians in crafting a song for our film and for our friend," said Coogler of the nomination. "It was meant to be a tribute to love and the specter of loss, and I couldn't be happier that it is being recognized."
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever earned five nominations in total, also for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Angela Bassett, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Visual Effects. "The story of Wakanda is built in front of and behind the camera, and I couldn't be more honored to work with these incredible artists," Coogler added. "The Academy's acknowledgement of their work is greatly deserved."
This year's nominated original songs are "Applause" from Tell It Like a Woman (music and lyric by Diane Warren), "Hold My Hand" from Top Gun: Maverick (music and lyric by Lady Gaga and BloodPop), "Naatu Naatu" from RRR (music by M.M. Keeravaani; lyric by Chandrabose), and "This Is A Life" from Everything Everywhere All at Once (music by Ryan Lott, David Byrne and Mitski; lyric by Ryan Lott and David Byrne).
The 95th Oscars will take place on Sunday, March 12, at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide.
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